Telemedicine Multi-component Weight Loss Program for Workers in Remote Areas in Covid19 Pandemic

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2021-12, Vol.29, p.170-170
• Main Authors: Mociulsky, Juliana, Cura, Leila, Alonso, Daniela, Herrero, Micaela, Nakkache, Mirta, Ruiz, Pablo, Stolman, Fabiana, Zarate, Pablo, Cazaban, Mercedes Ganduglia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Employees; Health risk assessment; Health risks; Obesity; Pandemics; Telemedicine; Weight control
• ISSN: 1930-7381; 1930-739X

Background: On October 2020 the Health and Labor Departments of Argentina decreed workers with BMI ≥ 40 kg / m2, a risk group for serious forms of COVID infection, had to suspend attendance at the workplace. On November 2020, a virtual multi-component intervention weight loss program was implemented for workers of an oil and gas company reached by the decree. The primary objective was to achieve significant weight loss to reduce health risks associated to obesity. The secondary objective was to achieve the return to work of the employees. Methods: 89 employees with grade 3 obesity from different areas of Argentina, including remote areas (Patagonia and Yungas -mountain jungle-), were invited to participate in a 3-month weight loss program. The program consisted in weekly virtual workshops on diet, physical activity and behavior change; plus telemedicine consultations based on motivational interview with physician, nutritionist, psychologist, and nurse. A cell phone app was designed to promote self-management of the disease: recording of weight progression, physical activity and meals. It also gave participants access to recorded weekly workshops, and a reservation system for appointments. Results: Average initial BMI was 46.03 kg/m2. After 3 months of intervention, 52 participants (58%) achieved a decrease in BMI < 40 kg/m2 and returned to work. 31.4% participants achieved a decrease of >5% and 23.6% of >10% of their initial weight. In the 6month longitudinal follow-up, 66% of participants achieved BMI < 40 kg / m2. Conclusions: The context of the Covid 19 pandemic was an opportunity to install obesity as a disease in the workplace and increased awareness of employers and employees on health risks associated to it. The implementation of a structured virtual weight loss program on the workplace setting can be an effective obesity approach, including remote areas.